I have been reading everything shock/strut/spring related for the past month and just need a little more help.

Here is what I do know. Stock shock/struts are on the way out. Car has 47k on it and is a daily driver (PA roads are some of the worst). I am not a huge fan of the wheel gap of our cars, but it is not that big of an issue.

Here are my questions… How bad are the stock SE springs? I have around $500 to spend, but don’t know which way to go. I am sure that new shock/struts will make a huge difference, but I have only owned the car since 31k and hate the floating feeling and the bottoming out (even without 4 people in the car). I have added a RSB and FSTB as well as some new rubber on the stock 17’s and I have noticed a huge difference with the handling, but think the shock/struts are still playing a role in the floating feeling.

Here is my rank of importance…ride/performance then looks. I do a lot of driving and love this car. I drive it hard and even harder on the twisting back roads. I also have a 10 month old girl and don’t want her to get beaten up when she rides in it (about the only time I drive like it is a 4 door sedan).

Please give me your opinions and thoughts on which way to go and remember drop is at the bottom of the list unless it goes along with ride feel and performance. This is where I am right now, but still can't decide.

Keep the SE springs and go with Tokico Illuminas?

H- Techs or H&R and kyb-gr2 combo?

SE Springs with the GR2’s and get some other toys for the Max?

Thanks for the help and sorry for the length.

 

OK Let me simplify....

If drop on the car was not the top priority, would you keep the stock SE Springs or replace them along with the Shock/Struts?

Keep in mind...Only 500 to spend.

 

go with shocks/struts. it will be firmer yet more comfortable.

 

if you want something stiffer you might want to do some homework on the stiffness of the stocks vs eibach tein maxspeeds etc. if you do the shocks without the drop i would suggest going with soemtind adjustable i.e agx's or koni's.

 

Thanks for the input!

I think I am leaning toward the Illuminas with the stock SE springs and see how it is for a while.

 

If you want comfort, nothing beats OEM springs and struts.

With aftermarket springs, you will hit potholes and bumps harder. Even with the best struts, they won't help you much absorbing that impact.

I have both Tokico Blues and Illuminas. Even with softest setting on Illuminas, my Blues are softer. I like soft struts since I drive on roads with bumps and potholes. Little less teeth rattling when going over road flaws.